144: I called him over casually
Feng Yueshan knew a bit about the history between Chen Mu and Xiguang Media's Song Yuan. In such a relationship, the one in the superior position holds absolute power. Everyone assumed it was a case of unrequited love on Chen Mu's part, that he couldn't bear to let go of the impending wealth and glory. However, the exhaustion in Chen Mu's voice told a different story: he was utterly sick of Song Yuan.
Come to think of it, it had been a while since Feng Yueshan last saw Chen Mu.
Standing slightly to the side, he caught sight of a white figure sitting halfway on the sofa. One of the person's hands hung down naturally, the joints clear and beautiful.
“Young Master Feng, that's enough,” Shen Lian's voice rang out.
Feng Yueshan immediately slipped inside, his expression shifting back to its cynical norm. “No way, Teacher Shen, you could even spot me like this?”
Shen Lian pointed to a mirror on the other side facing the door: “I saw you clear as day.”
Feng Yueshan: “...”
Seeing it was Feng Yueshan, Chen Mu immediately stood up: “Young Master Feng.”
“Yeah.” Feng Yueshan nodded. He had been busy with company affairs lately and hadn't been playing as much, so his complexion looked much more respectable, no longer possessing that lazy look of being soaked in alcohol.
Shen Lian leaned back with a smile: “Looking for me?”
“That's right.” Feng Yueshan sat on the armrest of the sofa where Chen Mu had been. “I was passing by and thought I'd come up to see you. Come on, let's go out and have some fun.”
Feng Yueshan had completely accepted Shen Lian's status as his 'sister-in-law,' so he invited him without any hesitation. “Your Pai Gow skills are legendary. I’ve got a match scheduled with some people today.”
Shen Lian didn't hesitate: “Sure, how will you thank me if I win?”
Feng Yueshan: “You name it.”
Hearing their plans, Chen Mu intended to leave, but before he could speak, he heard Feng Yueshan say, “You come along too.”
Young Master Feng was used to giving orders. Besides, given his status, inviting Chen Mu was a huge favor; being able to make one or two reliable connections in that kind of setting could be beneficial for a long time.
Chen Mu was surprised: “Me?”
“Yeah.” Feng Yueshan's expression was casual. “Aren't you Shen Lian's friend? Plus, I was quite satisfied with the finished advertisement from last time, so consider this a treat.”
It was very reasonable; refusing would make him seem ungrateful.
Chen Mu looked slightly constrained. “Thank you, Young Master Feng.”
That strange feeling in Shen Lian's heart surfaced once again.
Feng Yueshan was a regular at all the major entertainment clubs. He didn't even need to swipe a card; he just used his face. Shen Lian and Chen Mu followed behind him as the three of them entered a private room on the twelfth floor of a certain club.
As expected, it was another grand occasion, bustling with noise.
But there were only a few people Feng Yueshan was willing to play with, and in the end, only three people sat at the table. Seeing Feng Yueshan standing by the table with a smug look on his face, the opponent was shocked: “Young Master Feng, you're not playing?”
“If I'm not playing, why would I be standing here?” Feng Yueshan chuckled. “I promised to play with you guys, but I didn't promise to play personally. This is my big brother; him stepping in is the same as me stepping in.”
Shen Lian accepted the title of 'Big Brother' and rolled up his sleeves, intending to go all out. “Alright, Big Brother will hold down the fort for you.”
Everyone was just there for fun, so once it was put that way, they didn't dwell on it.
Chen Mu only knew Shen Lian and Feng Yueshan, so his range of activity was quite small.
“Have you eaten?” Feng Yueshan asked.
Chen Mu always had to pause for a moment to be sure Feng Yueshan was speaking to him before answering: “Not yet.”
“There's food on that table over there. Take whatever you want, don't be polite with me.”
Chen Mu looked up and met Feng Yueshan's gaze, his heart suddenly skipping a beat.
Feng Yueshan had an extraordinary appearance. Usually, he was a bit too fond of play, but once he turned serious, the confidence bred from a prominent family was clearly revealed. The light in the private room was dim; Feng Yueshan was a head taller than Chen Mu, and his gaze inevitably seemed somewhat condescending as it swept over him. He pursed his lips slightly, and for a split second, the emotion in his eyes was clear, but before Chen Mu could catch it, it was hidden behind a vast mist.
This shouldn't have been anything special, but Chen Mu had the illusion of being slowly permeated.
Shen Lian played a card and glanced over this way while he was at it.
No rush. Who was waiting for an opportunity and who was groping in the dark would only need a very small catalyst to become clear as day among this group of shrewd people.
The pastries provided here were excellent. Chen Mu cherished them, first getting a plate and then filling it with the things he wanted to eat one by one. Finally, he found a quiet spot to sit down, and with tea in hand, he ate bite by bite, his attitude peaceful and carrying a hint of reverence.
Feng Yueshan clinked glasses with someone and glanced toward the opposite direction.
Young Master Feng's palate had long since become picky. Coming to this kind of place was for drinking and having fun; if he wanted to talk about eating, he'd have to change locations—not to mention Qudu's top restaurants, at least a famous specialty hotel where a full table would be laid out. In most cases, he’d be full after just a few bites. An array of things used to fill one's stomach was as simple as breathing to Feng Yueshan.
In all his years growing up, this was the first time he had seen what it meant to "cherish food" personified in a single individual.
It was so damn surreal, Feng Yueshan thought.
On this side, Shen Lian was slaughtering everyone at the card table, having knocked out two groups of people. When Chu Yilan arrived, he had just started a new table. Winning happily, he called out, “Young Master Feng, Big Brother has saved your face!”
Chu Yilan looked at Feng Yueshan.
Feng Yueshan: “?”
I was just bringing him along to play, I didn't even drink!
A warm, broad palm covered the back of his neck. Shen Lian instinctively shivered, and then both his body and soul recognized the newcomer. Shen Lian didn't have time to look back and hurriedly said, “Wait for me for a bit, I'll come find you after this hand. Be good, mwah mwah mwah.”
The brothers opposite him looked terrified, nearly dropping their cards.
Chu Yilan actually found a place to sit down and had the waiter bring tea.
Feng Yueshan leaned in mischievously. “Really not going to have a sip? I have a private collection bottle here.”
Chu Yilan said indifferently: “Why is Chen Mu here too?”
Feng Yueshan was slightly stunned.
In that one second, Chu Yilan looked up: “Hmm?”
“It's nothing,” Feng Yueshan said. “Chen Mu was there when I went to find Shen Lian, so I just invited him along.”
Feng Yueshan felt uneasy under Chu Yilan's deep, dark gaze. “My brother, don't be like this.”
While they were talking, Chen Mu finished his pastries and came forward, taking the initiative to sit by the tea set and beginning to scald the cups.
It wasn't that he was specifically acting servile, but his current breakthrough was inseparable from the help of these few people. Regardless of whether the other party truly regarded him as a friend, Chen Mu wanted to do what he could.
As Chen Mu turned the cup, the bone at his wrist was slightly prominent.
Feng Yueshan suddenly lost control of his gaze.
He looked for a few seconds longer, but finally, his reason rang a warning bell. Knowing that Chu Yilan would definitely notice if he kept looking, he forced his eyes away. As a result, his heart didn't agree; a mouthful of tea didn't calm him down, and in an instant, he was coughing up a storm.
Chu Yilan frowned, his eyes full of the question, “What are you doing?”
Feng Yueshan waved his hand.
He still couldn't speak, the coughing making his throat itch more and more. Just as he was planning to move elsewhere, his back was gently patted. The strength was just right; through the fabric of his clothes, there shouldn't have been any warmth, but Feng Yueshan perceived it—that natural, inherent warmth.
Feng Yueshan turned to look at Chen Mu.
Chen Mu thought he had overstepped and quickly withdrew his hand: “Sorry, Young Master Feng, I saw that you were really uncomfortable.”
Feng Yueshan squeezed out a sentence with difficulty: “It's nothing.”
In fact, he felt a bit dizzy, as if his entire spirit was savoring those few pats just now.
Shen Lian stopped playing cards, gave his seat to another brother, and then sat down beside Chu Yilan.
Being watched by these two 'malevolent spirits,' the pressure on Feng Yueshan could well be imagined.